Belmont Stadium

Belmont Stadium

Location	Broomside Lane, Belmont, County Durham
Coordinates	54°47′13″N 1°31′18″W
Opened	1940
Closed	1969

Belmont Stadium was a greyhound racing stadium in Broomside Lane, Belmont, County Durham.

Origins

The track was constructed on the south side of Broomside Lane and east of the cemetery in 1940.[1]

Opening

Greyhound racing started on Saturday 13 July 1940, serving as entertainment for the mining community from Broomside Colliery and the Carrville residents.[2]

History

The racing was independent (not affiliated to the National Greyhound Racing Club). Race distances included 290 yards and a totalisator was in operation. The stadium suffered temporary closures during the war.[3] In 1954 the track was the inspiration for a 1954 film called The Gay Dog.[4]

Closure

The stadium continued to trade until 1969 before closing and being turned into housing.[2]

Totalisator Returns

Year £ 1946 23,181 1947 27,993 1948 25,919

Year £ 1949 43,250 1950 31,161 1951 14,920

References

1. "OS Plan 1960". old-maps.co.uk.
2. Barnes, Julia (1988). Daily Mirror Greyhound Fact File. Ringpress Books. ISBN 0-948955-15-5.
3. "Remember When - September 1939". Newcastle Evening Chronicle. 2012.
4. "Stadium is closed until further notice - 7 August". Greyhound Star. 1941.